Full Evaluation of the Dog

It sounds like a given, yet sometimes veterinarians, (including myself,) tend to lump all arthritic dogs into one single category: Dogs with arthritis! This assumption is a big mistake.

In my opinion, arthritis pain in the back responds best to acupuncture while the pain in the extremities responds better to other methods.

Some other important points to note are:

Arthritis pain in the back responds well to acupuncture because you can utilize needle points right along the back and along the bladder meridian. These are areas in which dogs tolerate acupuncture.

Most dogs have a limited number of stimulation points. Points along the back are well-tolerated and effective.

Acupuncture will stimulate the muscles along the top line, the longissimus. These are the large muscles found on each side of the bony spinal column that often becomes tight and spastic in response to bony arthritis of the back.

It is my belief that most of the pain in back arthritis comes from the soft tissue muscular pain around the joint, not the bony abnormality.

Along the back, you can insert needles into the deep musculature. In other parts of the body, this is much more difficult.

The vet must evaluate the patient and x-rays may be necessary to determine the exact origin of the arthritic pain.

Remember: Arthritic pain in the back responds better to acupuncture than arthritic pain in the extremities.

Consider Electroacupuncture for Maximum Pain Relief

Electroacupuncture (also called percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation or PENS) is a technique involving needle stimulation that enhances the analgesic effects of acupuncture by blocking pain pathways.

During this procedure, the veterinarian places small filiform needles at predetermined points on the body. An electric current passes through the acupuncture needles.

The goal of animal electroacupuncture is helping Qi (vital energy, life-force) move throughout the body.

The body is in a healthy, balanced state when Qi is able to move. When Qi is not able to move, disease occurs.

Some points to note about electroacupuncture:

Veterinary electro-acupuncture is similar to traditional veterinary acupuncture in that the same points get stimulated during treatment.

The acupuncturist can adjust the frequency and intensity of the electrical impulse delivered depending on the particular condition treated during the session.

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About Marc Smith, DVM

Dr. Marc Smith is a practicing veterinarian in Nashville, TN and Franklin, TN. His areas of specialty include: Traditional Western Medicine, Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Chiropractic and Prolotherapy. He is also co-creator of PET | TAO, the only commercially available pet food combining Western nutritional science with Eastern Food Therapy.